"Unarmed and alone" another incredible WWII story

-
"They figured if they got that close you were dead anyway"

Del, this is fantastic stuff! How did you find this?
 
Believe it or not LOL it was a "side effect" of the "Walmart fart in the intercom!!!"

It had to take absolute real guts to jump into one of those, no guns, no "buddies" and dive into the lion's den. Even with speed and altitude, "stuff happens"

I knew about some of the problems with the P38s which is why they were used extensively in the Japanese end of things--it was warmer

That is one thing Lindberg is credited with........they were having some accidents with Lightnings due to engine problems, and he went over and showed guys how to handle them with one engine failure

He also showed the pilots how to better manage fuel mixture and increase range, and went on some combat flights "unofficially"
 
Last edited:
Believe it or not LOL it was a "side effect" of the "Walmart fart in the intercom!!!"

It had to take absolute real guts to jump into one of those, no guns, no "buddies" and dive into the lion's den. Even with speed and altitude, "stuff happens"

I knew about some of the problems with the P38s which is why they were used extensively in the Japanese end of things--it was warmer

That is one thing Lindberg is credited with........they were having some accidents with Lightnings due to engine problems, and he went over and showed guys how to handle them with one engine failure

He also showed the pilots how to better manage fuel mixture and increase range, and went on some combat flights "unofficially"

It's all about American bravery and ingenuity. I appreciate you sharing those videos. They are very good. Even if they came from a fart. lol
 
My cousin was a Spitfire pilot. He landed wheels up in the Egyptian desert. He walked about 30 miles before the Italians captured him just before he would have been home free. He was at low altitude when he stalled the engine switching fuel tanks. He'd shot down this JU-52 a few minutes earlier.
Ray Sherk JU52 Kill002.jpg
 
My cousin was a Spitfire pilot. He landed wheels up in the Egyptian desert. He walked about 30 miles before the Italians captured him just before he would have been home free. He was at low altitude when he stalled the engine switching fuel tanks. He'd shot down this JU-52 a few minutes earlier.
View attachment 1715600071

Badass.
 

He was. After capture, he escaped, returned to combat, lost a second Spitfire, and escaped again. He was in service for the entire six year war, which ended before his 24th birthday. He had 6-1/3 aerial victories, but never spoke about them with me.
A life well lived, his obituary tells a bit of his war record.
Raymond SHERK - Obituary
 
He was. After capture, he escaped, returned to combat, lost a second Spitfire, and escaped again. He was in service for the entire six year war, which ended before his 24th birthday. He had 6-1/3 aerial victories, but never spoke about them with me.
A life well lived, his obituary tells a bit of his war record.
Raymond SHERK - Obituary

Man that's awesome stuff!

From the obituary:

"Ray enjoyed high tea with the Queen of England, and a Heineken with Prince Bernard of the Netherlands in 1969."

I love that!
 
Man that's awesome stuff!

From the obituary:

"Ray enjoyed high tea with the Queen of England, and a Heineken with Prince Bernard of the Netherlands in 1969."

I love that!

I don't have a picture of those, but here's a picture of Ray, on the right, with Horst Wilborn, having beers. Horst was on the plane in post #7, and was fortunate enough to survive. Not everyone aboard did. An English writer knew both of their stories, and thought they matched up. He put them in touch, and sure enough, they were old enemies. They met about 70 years after their encounter in the desert.

Ray Sherk and Horst Wilborn02.jpg
Ray Sherk and Horst Wilborn.jpg
 
-
Back
Top